London –
He is the King of Queens and his crown could be yours – for the right price.
Extensive collection of Freddie Mercury Costumes, artwork and even handwritten lyrics from “We Are the Champions” and “Killer Queen” will be auctioned in September.
The Queen frontman said he wanted to live a Victorian life surrounded by “exquisite clutter,” and when he died of AIDS-related pneumonia in 1991 at the age of 45, he left everything to his best friend, Mary.・I left it to Austin.
Austin, who kept most of it as Mercury left it in his home in an upmarket Kensington neighborhood in London, said it had come to a “tough decision” that it was time to sell it all, Sotheby’s said. said.
Artwork includes prints or works on paper by Picasso and Matisse. 19th-century French artist James Tissot’s painting of Irish muse and lover Kathleen Newton, ‘Type of Beauty’ sold for £400,000 to his £600,000 ($500,000 to $750,000). It is estimated that .
The lyrics to the band’s show-closing anthem, “We are the Champions,” written by Mercury over nine pages, including British Midland Airways stationery, cost £200,000 to £300,000 ($250,000 to $375,000). It is estimated that it will sell for
Mercury wears a rhinestone-encrusted crown and bare back in a red faux-fur cloak after singing “Champions” together at Queen’s final concert at Knebworth House in north London in 1986. covered the He triumphantly returned to the stage, raising his crown with his right hand and waved as the crowd began singing “God Save the Queen” from the sound system.
The crown is said to be based on St. Edward’s crown, which will be taken up at the coronation of King Charles III next month. The headpiece worn by Mercury is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000 ($75,000 to $100,000), unlike the real centerpiece of his crown jewel in the UK.
Mercury fans on a tight budget might consider Tiffany’s silver mustache comb.
Some of the nearly 1,500 items for sale will be on display in New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong during the tour in June.
It will be auctioned over three days in September. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity.
